DIY Kitchen Drawer Organizer

One of the things you all may not know about me is that I like to be organized. Sometimes I probably drive my family a bit crazy when it comes to organizing things.

If you look at my house though you might not always think that, because like most people, I struggle with staying organized. I find the work is not in getting organized, it is the staying organized that takes the work.

I know that it is worth the work though, so I am always looking for ways to help make the staying organized part easier.

I spend less time looking for stuff when I am organized. And I am less likely to rebuy something because I forgot I have it, if I am organized.

My day just goes better when I am organized. When my stuff is organized, my life feels more organized.

One example of this is that I am one of those people that always makes my bed. I can’t remember the last time I did not make my bed, it was probably last time I was sick.

And it is not that I love to make my bed. Really, I don’t love to make my bed everyday, but when I walk into my bedroom and see a bed that is made and neat, it makes me feel more organized and put together. I know I am probably a little strange like that, but for me it is worth the time it takes to do the little things to stay organized.

So, a few weeks ago when I saw a DIY kitchen drawer organizer, I knew I needed one. I loved the idea of getting my kitchen better organized. I sent the link to my husband and said can we do this sometime. I had no idea when sometime would be, but I did not want to forget the idea.

We remodeled the kitchen over the summer and I have struggled to get it organized like I want. It has been kind of like moving, where you move stuff around five times before you figure out where you want it.

My new kitchen has a lot more drawer space than my old one, which I love, but I have had trouble getting them organized. The stuff has pretty much been dumped in them. No one knew where anything went or what drawer it was in.

Anytime you wanted something you ended up opening three drawers to find it. It was driving me crazy. And it was not only driving me crazy, it was driving my whole family crazy.

On Saturday my daughter and I went shopping and I came home to this.

Custom made drawer organizers. LOVE them!

My husband had made me diy kitchen drawer organizers. He bought all the supplies and made me drawer organizers while I was gone.

My husband and I are both a bit type A. Okay so we are a lot type A, but the fact that he is more type A than I am, means that he totally got why my kitchen drawers were driving me crazy. So he got to work fixing it for me.

Yes, it is the little things that make me happy.

I love these. Every time I open my kitchen drawers now I am happy. It is amazing how happy something as simple as being organized can make you.

And with the dividers it will be so much easier to stay organized. Have I mentioned I love staying organized?!

And in case you are wondering, my husband did not put all my stuff back and organized like that. He might be type A, but he did not tackle that job for me. He knows I am type A enough to want to organize them myself, so he left the organizing up to me. (And yes I have a lot of measuring cups and spoons. When I am baking a bunch of stuff, I don’t like to keep washing things over and over. I am not a minimalist when it comes to kitchen stuff.)

These diy kitchen organizers were really easy to make. Or so he tells me. It really did not take much time at all and the expense was minimal. It was less than $20 to do all three drawers. So really this is a project almost anyone can do.

He used 1/4x3x2 poplur craft board from Lowes and used Loctite Power Grab glue to glue it all together. He did the majority of the project while I was gone, so I don’t have any before and after pictures. And I don’t have any pictures of the process, but it is pretty basic.

He based the slots on the various sizes of my silverware and other kitchen gadgets. And that is what makes these great. You can customize them to fit your items and your drawers. No more wasted space. And I love the fact that they ware almost as deep as the drawer, so you can stack silverware and other items higher than in most drawer organizers.

For detailed instructions and pictures be sure to visit Keven and Amanda’s post on how they did theirs. My husband did not follow their instructions exactly, but he used the same basic idea. I have at least one more drawer I want him to do and I will try to get pictures of the process next time.

Now please tell me I am not the only one that feels better when I am organized. And please tell me I am not the only one that makes my bed everyday. Really other people do make their bed everyday don’t they?!

We already knew you loved to be organized! 😉 I agree that it makes one feel so much better and life flows smoother. I’m one who learned to make my bed daily decades ago. Life doesn’t feel right until it’s done. 😉 Not only do I need to do this drawer organization, but I just realized that I need to swap out drawer contents. I’m not using my largest drawers for the right things. I will start with that and then see if hubby and I can do this together. It’s hard to believe that just glue will hold the dividers though. And I wonder if it will make any difference that my drawers are lined with vinyl (came that way). Anyway, thanks for sharing, Lynn! I think you just helped me significantly with my kitchen organization!

I am wondering about the glue long term also, but so far it seems fine. Once it dried it seemed really strong, and my husband thought it should hold up well. I guess we will see. Being as I have three kids in the house that help in the kitchen, mine will take a beating, so hopefully the make it. And I am so glad to know I am not the only one that makes my bed everyday!

I totally agree! Life is so much easier when organized and I also make my bed everyday. I am going to have to try these. I have had trouble finding organizers that will fit well in my kitchen drawers. I may try this on my makeup drawer after the kitchen!

I thought the same thing about my makeup and bathroom drawer. I told my husband last night that the bathroom drawer is now on my list too. And I am glad I am not the only one that makes my bed everyday.

If you only have two drawers in your kitchen these would probably help maximize the space. Before I just had silverware in one drawer and with the dividers in, I have space for a few other things in there as well. I could not believe how much more usable space it gave me in the drawers.

OK – I’v been wanting to do this and it makes me want to stop at the home store on the way home from work tonight and get the stuff to do it tonight! Main problem – we don’t own anything to saw with. That is on my Christmas wish list – a jig saw – miter box and saw or circular saw ! Maybe soon!

I feel SO much better when the bed is made!!! (My problem is, my hubby works 2nd shift so he gets up after me…. and he doesn’t care if the bed is made!!!)

Love, love, LOVE the drawer organizers!! We have a couple store (AKA yardsale) bought ones: one for silverware, one for my measuring cups & such. Once we own a home (which I am praying will be sooner rather than later…), I want to do it your way! That looks so much better.

Oh, and BTW? From another cook/baker: You can NEVER have too many measuring cups/spoons.

I LOVE TO ORGANIZE. But I agree, staying that way is the hardest part. Right now, my kitchen drawers are organized with a plastic silverware holder (from BBB) and empty ziplock bag boxes. I must get it from my mother. I remember growing up with empty Velveeta boxes in our kitchen drawers. I wonder if i can talk my husband into making me some pretty ones like yours though!

Your drawers look great! I, too, love to be organized. The idea of a customized drawer organizer sounds wonderful, and so cheap! We are moving into a new house next month and I want to do this with my drawers. Thanks for sharing!

I can totally relate to your need for organization. It gets a little out of control and seems to take a bit more effort to keep things neat and tidy all the time, but I try because I rest easier that way. I wish I wasn’t as fussy but we are who we are! I love the kitchen drawer organizers. I have store bought ones and they help but are not nearly as good as the ones your husband came up with. This is in my future. My husband is good with building things so I’m hoping for his help.
I also love your blog and new recipes are always welcome.
I am retired and live in Oregon. Portland suburbs. I remember the days clearly of raising 3 daughters and all that that
entailed and the days were indeed busy and fun too. I can take things a bit slower now and appreciate and enjoy this time in my life. Thanks for sharing !!!!!!!

I made these organizers several months ago for all of my drawers. They were great at first, but over time and the constant opening and closing they all came apart.
if I do it again, I won’t use Loctite, but a good wood glue .

I am excitedly running off to Lowe’s to copy this wonderful “type A” fun task! What a brilliant idea! I’m going to lay graph paper down first to get an idea of just where I want the spots to be before I cut. You know the old expression, measure twice cut once!

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Welcome to Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures!

I love to cook and bake, and it is a good thing, because my family loves to eat. I live with my husband and three kids on 43 acres in Northeastern Oklahoma. Between homeschooling, working on our property, taking care of three dogs, and raising hogs as a side job/hobby, I am constantly on the go like most of you.

I started Lynn's Kitchen Adventures in 2008, but then in 2009, after years of health issues, I was diagnosed with gluten intolerance. Read More…